Stone-gatherer.



J. M. RORABAW STONE GATHERER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 190B. RENEWED MAY 15,1909.

Patented NOV. 16. 1909.

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JOHN M. RORABAXV, OF DTAM-OND, MISSOURI.

STONE-GATHERER.

Application filed. June 13, 1908, Serial No. 438,268. Renewed. May 15,1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, JOHN WI. Ronannw, a citizen of the United States,residing at Diamond, in the county of Newton and State of Missouri, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Stone-Gatherers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention is a machine for gathering stones, characterized by awheeled-frame carrying a rake-like gathering device which runs on theground and picks up loose stones in its path.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine of this kind whichis simple in construction, and efficient in operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gathering device whichcan be used for cutting roots, and also for pulling stumps.

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby thegathering device can be easily dumped to discharge its load. 7

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machinewith the gathering device in operative position. Fig. 2 is a plan view.

deferring specifically to the drawings, 1() denotes the wheels on whichthe machine travels. A front axle 11, and a rear axle 12 are provided.To the front axle are connected shafts 13 for attachment of a draftanimal.

The axles support longitudinal bars 1% which are connected at theirfront ends so as to form a U-shaped frame. Adjacentthe front axle, thebars are connected by a crossbar 15 which is bent upwardly at its endsto form standards 16 for a purpose to he iereinafter described. Thefront axle is connected to the cross-bar 15 by a king-bolt 1.7 so thatsaid axle may turn to steer the machine. The bars 14 are connected tothe rear axle in any suitable manner, and adjacent said axle standards18 are secured to the bars. The standards 16 and 18 are connected bybraces 19.

The gathering device comprises a rakelike structure which is in twosections, each of which comprises a head 20 from which extend tines 21which are connected and braced by cross-bars 22. The inner ends of thesecross-bars are formed into knuckles 23 to receive a hinge-rod 24:whereby a hinge-joint between two sections is had, the axis of saidjoint extending lengthwise with Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 16, 1909.

Serial No. 496,308.

respect to the machine. At its rear end the hinge-rod is pivotallyconnected to the rear axle 12 as indicated at 24, and at its front endit has a hook or which is for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

On the standards 16 is mounted a rotatable shaft 25 to which arefastened chains 26. The shaft is rotated by a lever 27 carrying a pawl28 which acts on a ratchet 29 on the shaft. Back slip of the shaft isprevented by a pawl 30 pivoted to one of the bars 19 and engageable witha ratchet 31 on the shaft. The chains 26 are spaced from each other andare connected to the front ends of the rake-sections.

To the rear ends of the rake-sections are connected chains 32 which arewound on a rotatable shaft. 33 mounted on the standards 18. This shaftalso has a pawl 34C for rotating it, and a ratchet 35 and pawl 36 forpreventing back slip the same as the shaft 25.

In use, the rake-sections are spread out or opened and their front endslowered to the ground by unwinding the chains 26, and winding up thechains 32. The machine is then drawn across the field whereupon allloose stones in the path of the rake-sections are gathered up thereby.Upon carrying the load to the place to be dumped, the front ends of therake-sections are elevated by winding up the chains 26 and the hook 24of the hinge-rod 2a is placed in a looped rod 37 carried by the shaft25. To dump the load, the pawls 30 and 31 are thrown off theirrespective ratchets which releases the shafts 25 and 33 and permits thechains 26 and 32 to unwind, whereupon the outer ends of therake-sections drop down and the load is automatically discharged. Thechains are connected to the outer ends of the respective rake-sections,and as the hinge-rod 2a is held stationary by the looped rod 37 and theaxle 12, the rake-sections tilt sidewise by the weight of the load, whenthe chains are released as stated.

The machine herein described is strong and durable, simple inconstruction, it can be easily operated, and it efiectually serves thepurpose for which it is intended.

The machine can also be used for pulling stumps by running therake-sections under the stump and then elevating them by windcan bethoroughly cleared of stones, roots, and stumps, and the machine canalso be used for sub-soiling.

I claim:

1. A stone-gatherer comprising a supporting-frame, a rake carriedthereby comprising hinged sections, and means for tilting the sectionssidewise.

2. A stone-gatherer comprising a supporting-frame, a rake pivotallymounted thereon and comprising hinged sections, means for raising andlowering the free end of the rake, and means for tilting the sectionssidewise.

3. A stone-gatherer comprising a supporting-frame, a sectional rakecarried thereby, a hinge-joint between the rake-sections including ahinge-rod pivotally mounted on the supporting-frame, means for raisingand lowering the free end of the rake, means for supporting the free endof the hinge-rod in elevated position, and means for tilting therake-sections sidewise.

1-. A stone-gatherer 'comprislng a supporting-frame, hoisting devicesmounted thereon, a sectional rake pivotally mounted on thesupporting-frame and connected at its ends from said hoisting devicesand a hinge connection between the rake-sections.

5. A stone-gatherer comprising a supporting-frame, rotatable shaftsmounted on said frame, chains wound on the shafts, a sectional rakepivotally mounted on the supporting-frame and connected at its ends tothe chains, and a hinge connection between the rake-sections.

6. A stone-gatherer comprising a supporting-frame, a sectional rake,each section comprising a head, tines, and cross-bars connecting thetines, the inner ends of the crossbars having hinge -knuckles, a hingerod passing through the knuckles, and pivotally connected at one end tothe supportingframe, and means for tilting the rake-sections sidewise.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN M. RORABAVV.

Vvitnesses:

A. P. SHowAN, J. H. ROBINSON.

